This is a cry for rescue from not only evil enemies seeking harm, but from a trusted friend who has deceived. There is much pain that goes along with that. Have you experienced a situation where a close friend hurt you in some way, whether by words or inaction or purposeful abuse? Those wounds hurt worse than if the same pain is inflicted by a stranger.
The psalm seems to mesh the two thoughts and struggles together. So quickly that “friend” has become an enemy. Verse 22 stands out as a good reminder amidst the lament, as if the writer took a breath and realized, “aha” this is what happens if… “Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” While that sounds good, there are times we fail, we slip up. I’m not sure we are being “godly” then.
Are you your own worst enemy? Do situations come about that totally throw you for a loop and distract you, frustrate you or crush you? Do you have feelings of being overwhelmed and not having a clear picture how or why it is happening? Sometimes our thoughts and fears can crowd our head to the point we logical thought is impossible. Our crowded heads can also distort the truth, causing us to drift away from our one true hope, God. We need to work on focusing on the good and turn those burdens over to God. Now. We need to remember where our strength comes from. (Philippians 4:13).
Think of a situation you are holding on to. Perhaps it involves a “friend”. Ask God to cleanse you and restore this relationship.
Let’s pray. Lord, forgive me for not trusting you when I lurch forward on my own. My power is weak compared to yours, and with you all things are possible. Help me today to set aside my feelings of regret, of anger, of hurt as it relates to those in my life that have hurt me. Help me work through those feelings and be cleansed. May I focus on your assurance to love me no matter what. May I learn to love like that. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
